I tell you, it’s been QUITE a weekend in Hermanus. When I stopped to do some writing at the end of it all I didn’t think I had anything to write about. But, if you think about it, two people nearly drowning and being rescued by a Capetonian IS something we need to chat about!

Langbaai in Hermanus
It’ll suck you in and spit you out

I wasn’t there when it happened, but managed to get this account of the action at Langbaai, featuring Butlers Pizza CEO, Robert Wilkinson, quietly finding a moment to rescue two people drowning at sea – at the same time!

I know!

Check it out – this, written by Barbie Lindop:

LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! And an act of heroism…

Photo in follow up email: PAUL, MINAH and hero ROBERT WILKINSON

On Sat 17th Jan at about 6pm, little MINAH was having fun, swimming in a wild, incoming high tide sea, at Langbaai, when he was washed out.

PAUL, his mother’s employer, immediately went to Minah’s rescue, when the two of them were swept out beyond the rocks and were soon in distress.

ROBERT WILKINSON, superman and hero of the day, realised, that without assistance, both Paul and Minah would drown.
Without regard for his own personal safety or life, he ran into the sea, managed to get a child’s boogie board from another bather, and swam out through the enormous crashing waves, to join his flailing victims.

There were several moments when it looked as though all three would be swept even further into the tempestuous ocean.

Robert introduced himself to both panic stricken swimmers. He calmed and tried to reassure them, and persuaded little Minah to hang onto the board, with Paul following suit. Despite waves crashing over their heads, Robert guided the exhausted and terrified pair back to the safety of Langbaai beach.

A moment in time to remember – for all, who witnessed the horror and terror of this unfortunate incident.

A glass of champagne, and a toast, to Robert, for his valiant, courageous and selfless act of bravery.

Paul, Minah and Robert
Post rescue drama

We caught up with Robert to get further information about the experience from him : ” Ja, that’s very sweet of Barbie,” he said, “but the real hero of the day was Paul. If he didn’t risk all by going out there in the first place and used all his energy to keep himself and Minah afloat, this would have all ended in tears anyway.”

A very humble response indeed. I like that story. I like it a lot.

It just goes to show that pizza, although high in cholestrol, CAN save lives!